Several thousand citizens through an opinion platform have said that they expect reforms in the police force that will transform it to an apolitical, corruption-free and accountable force that would not repress citizens by abuse of power.聽
The public expectations have been reflected in an online public opinion survey conducted between October 31 and November 15 by the recently-formed Police Reform Commission, gathering more than 24,000 responses.
The commission said that more than 70 per cent respondents in the survey also voiced for an immediate end to the use of the force on political purposes, administrative and legal procedures to stop misuse of power to favour corruption, making police accountable in cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and the establishment of a permanent complaint commission.聽
More than one commission members recently told 抖阴精品 that a common highlight of the recommendations made by the respondents was putting an end to arbitrary detention and extrajudicial treatment of detainees.
According to the summery of the survey, more than 80 per cent of the respondents wanted effective steps to check bribery for getting release from false cases.
Supplementing the public opinions, retired police officers suggested that police reform must align with proper democratic practices, involve revisions to colonial-era laws and regulations,聽and foster a cultural shift within the police force.
On October 31, the police reform commission launched an online survey featuring 17 questions, inviting responses by November 15.
Commission member ASM Nasiruddin Elan said, 鈥楾he majority of the responses emphasised freeing Bangladesh Police from political influence.鈥�
Eliminating corruption within the police at all levels, from recruitment to retirement came as a major recommendation. Another significant recommendation was to revise Sections 54 and 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure pertaining to detention and investigation processes.
On October 3, the interim government established a full-fledged police reform commission alongside five others, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, triggered by violent police actions against anti-fascist protesters.
The police face widespread allegations of using 鈥榚xcessive鈥� force in applying lethal weapons that killed around 1,500 people and injured more than 30,000 people during the July-August student-led mass uprising.聽
To gather post-uprising public perceptions in an organised way, the commission鈥檚 survey asked respondents about their expectations of the police, exploring traits, such as people-friendliness, accountability, neutrality, efficiency, modernity, respect for human rights, and freedom from political influence and corruption.
The survey also sought opinions on urgent reform priorities, offering options such as modernising laws and regulations, ensuring accountability for human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, curbing abuse of power and corruption, and improving the salaries and benefits of lower-ranking force members.
Beyond the survey鈥檚 scope, former inspector general of Bangladesh Police Nurul Huda advocated for replacing the Police Act of 1861, describing it as incompatible with a democratic society.
鈥楶olice a legally empowered coercive organisation. There must be an apolitical regulatory body to hold the force accountable if their use of coercion exceeds reasonable limits,鈥� Nurul said, highlighting the 鈥榙isproportionate鈥� force employed during the 2024 uprising to serve vested political interests.
To that end, he proposed the establishment of an apolitical public safety or complaint commission to hold the police accountable for extrajudicial actions.
He also said that a democratic society鈥檚 police force requires constitutional protection to resist political influence.
Nurul further called for clarity in defining the police鈥檚 role, as it is variably referred to as a law enforcement agency, a disciplined force and a civil force under different regulations.
Retired additional deputy inspector general Md Mazharul Haque stressed that democracy in politics is critical to transforming the police into a true civil force.
鈥楥itizens鈥� voting rights must be upheld. Moreover, the police force should be reformed to ensure accountability to voters and citizens for any disproportionate or improper actions,鈥� Mazharul said.
Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed, member secretary of the police reform commission and an additional secretary at the public security division, recently said, 鈥榃e will engage all stakeholders to discuss and analyse the findings. The commission is committed to preparing a comprehensive reform plan to ensure that post-uprising Bangladesh establishes a citizen-centric police force.鈥�
He added that the commission was reaching out to all tiers of the police force to gather their perspectives on reform.
